Bulky Rubbish Collection

A bulky waste collection is for large household items too big for your standard bins, such as furniture, appliances, or mattresses. Before booking, consider donating usable items to local charities, Freecycle (freecycle.org), or Preloved (preloved.co.uk) many offer free pickups.
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Book a Bulky Waste Collection in East Herts

East Herts Council offers a convenient service to collect large household items that don’t fit in your regular bins. Follow these steps to book your bulky waste collection by phone. 

Call 01279 655261 and select “Refuse and Recycling.”

Please Provide:

  • A list of items, specifying if any are upholstered.
  • The location of items if not at the front of your property.
  • A credit or debit card for payment (you’ll be transferred to an automated payment line).

What You’ll Need to Book

  • A debit or credit card for payment.
  • A complete list of items for collection (e.g., “2-seater sofa, fridge, dining table”).
  • Confirmation of a clear, unobstructed route from the collection point to the road.

We collect a wide range of household items, grouped as follows:

Soft Furnishings (Upholstered Items)

  • Sofas (2-seater, 3-seater, corner units)
  • Armchairs and cushioned chairs
  • Footstools and pouffes
  • Sofa beds
  • Headboards
  • Upholstered dining chairs
  • Cushions

White Goods (Large Appliances)

  • Fridges and freezers (must be empty)
  • Washing machines
  • Tumble dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Cookers and ovens
  • Microwaves

Electrical Items (Small Appliances)

  • Televisions and monitors
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Stereos and speakers
  • Lamps
  • Kettles and toasters
  • IT equipment (e.g., printers, desktop towers, scanners, monitors)

Other Bulky Household Items

  • Wardrobes (disassembled if possible)
  • Tables and dining sets (table + up to 4 chairs = 2 items)
  • Bookcases
  • Chests of drawers
  • Desks
  • Bed frames and mattresses (base + headboard + mattress = 3 items)

We cannot collect:

  • Trade waste (e.g., from builders, plumbers, or contractors they must dispose of their own waste)
  • Large volumes of waste (consider hiring a skip)
  • Hazardous items (e.g., asbestos, batteries, chemicals, gas bottles, paint/oil, plasterboard, car parts/tyres, clinical waste, large glass panes)

Take these items to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (proof of residency required) or hire a licensed skip carrier (check at Public Registers Online to avoid fly-tipping fines up to £50,000).

How to Book Your Collection

Book by Phone

Call 01279 655261 and select “Refuse and Recycling.”

Please Provide:

  • A list of items, specifying if any are upholstered.
  • The location of items if not at the front of your property.
  • A credit or debit card for payment (you’ll be transferred to an automated payment line).

What You’ll Need to Book

  • A debit or credit card for payment.
  • A complete list of items for collection (e.g., “2-seater sofa, fridge, dining table”).
  • Confirmation of a clear, unobstructed route from the collection point to the road.

Charges (From 1 April 2025)

TypeCostNotes
Up to 3 soft-furnished items£58.90View items we collect above
Up to 3 non-soft-furnished items£58.90View items we collect above
Each additional item (same type)£16.30Maximum of 6 items per collection

 

Mixing items: Soft and non-soft items require separate bookings and payments due to Environment Agency rules.

Example: A sofa (soft) and a fridge (non-soft) would require two bookings (£58.90 each). A dining table and 2 chairs would fall under 3 non-soft-furnished items and be covered by one booking (£58.90).

Preparing for Collection

Place items outside at the front of your property by 6:00am on collection day.

Ensure items are ready:

  • Empty (e.g., fridges, cupboards).
  • Clean and dry (cover from rain to aid recycling).
  • Disassembled if possible (e.g., wardrobes, bed frames).

Clear the route from the collection point to the road (no obstructions).

Please notify us at booking if access is restricted (e.g., narrow paths, gates).

Cancellations and Amendments

Amend by Phone

Call 01279 655261 and select “Refuse and Recycling.”

  • Cancel online via My Account for a full refund minus a £14.40 admin fee if more than 48 hours before collection. No refunds within 48 hours.
  • Amend your booking (e.g., change items or date) via My Account at least 24 hours before collection to avoid issues.
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